Some months ago I picked up a Stanley Bailey 4 1/2 (Pat D Mar-25-02 Aug-19-02)
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at a flea market. I did not pay much, which is a good thing because today I started to clean it up and noticed a few things. This plane seems to have lived a hard life:
1. On one side, it appears that it is made from 2 pieces that have been bonded.
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Sorry, the pic is upside down but I think you can see what I am talking about. It is solid and from the inside you cannot see any evidence. Is this unusual? I have never seen that. While I have never used this plane, it seems that it does not affect the plane negatively, at least visually. The bottom is flat.
2. Perhaps you can see in the photo, the tote is broken laterally, all the way through. Only the screw is holding it together. My problem is this...It appears that when it broke, the tote screw bent such that I cannot remove the tote. I am thinking I should cut through the screw and remove the tote and screw that way, and then replace them.
3. The depth adjustment wheel seems to have taken a hit...it is out of round.
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It still works, but I think someone in this plane's life took a wrench or a pair of pliers to turn it.
Is it worth it to replace it, given the other things I have seen with this plane. Other than these, I think it might turn out to be a reasonable working plane (at least that is what I am hoping). Other than some dirt and surface rust, it looks like it will clean up nicely.
I would appreciate any and all comments, including why in the world would someone buy this plane in the first place.
John